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Balls of hope will be dropping once again
Ball Drop
The Stanislaus Sheriff’s air support helicopter will once again be dropping golf balls to benefit the Faith Home Adult Teen Challenge on Nov. 28 at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds (Journal file photo).

A unique fundraising event that started during the pandemic and is now a popular community tradition will once again descend upon the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.

The seventh annual Ball Drop for Hope fundraiser will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 28 at the fairgrounds located at 900 N. Broadway, Turlock.

The drop is the primary fundraiser for the Faith Home Adult and Teen Challenge program, a faith-based 12- to 16-month residential program for men age 18 and older.

The organization offers daily classes, personal growth, and hands-on vocational training — including building tiny homes and raising bees — to help participants heal and prepare for a successful return to the community.

One of Faith Home Adult and Teen Challenge’s success stories is Joshua Williamson. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department referred Williamson to the program when he was released from custody. He recently graduated from the program and started a new job with a local tree company.

“Our vision statement is to put hope within reach of everyone struggling with life-controlling issues,” said CEO Rick Souza.

Fundraisers like the Ball Drop and their annual golf tournament are how Faith Home continues to operate, as the nonprofit is not funded by the government.

“It's always a very special event for us,” said Souza.

Here’s how the drop works: Numbered golf balls are sold for $25 a pop, and released from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Support helicopter. All the balls that fall into a specified target zone will be collected and put into a bin. At that point, balls will be selected from the bin to see who wins the prizes, and winners will be notified by phone or email.

There are $5,000 in total prizes, including groceries, meals out and $250 in local retail gift cards.

Over the previous six years, the Ball Drop has raised over $500,000 for the organization.

Additionally, local organizations including Chapel Soul Care (Monte Vista Chapel), Kitchens for Change, Prodigal Sons and Daughters, Turlock Chaplaincy and the Sheriff’s Air Support Association have been invited to sell golf balls with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting them directly.

This year, Allie Jeffrey with the Turlock Chamber of Commerce is helping coordinate the event. Contact Jeffery to purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorship opportunities by emailing balldrop209@gmail.com or calling (209) 988-5815. Information is also available at www.fhtc.life.